and those polls matter, brian, because 40 states are already voting. among the folks who were voting before november 6, michelle obama, voting today, and the president himself who will vote later this month when he is home in illinois. brian. >> peter alexander, inside the debate venue starting us off, thank you. >>> and we have more on this critical debate format, the opportunities, the potential pitfalls of the modern day town hall. our report today from andrea mitchell. >> i'll turn to you for a few questions. >> so everybody take a seat so i can see who wants to answer questions. it is a format that should favor barack obama, who out distances romney with the favor months, romney has had a this year, the president's town halls are rare, and sometimes not in person. >> there is a huge demand for engineers around the country right now. >> i understand that, but how -- i mean. >> yeah. >> given the list that you're getting, i mean, we're not getting that. >> reporter: and after his first debate performance, the president is being pulled in two directi